The standard method for fixing orthodontic attachments has become polishing the enamel with fluoride-free pumice followed by acid etching using phosphoric acid. However, bond strength to structurally affected enamel or to restorative materials is problematic. Many researchers reported lower bond strength of orthodontic brackets to fluorosed and whitened enamel and to different restorative materials. Several methods have been tried to improve the bond strength including etching the enamel for longer, use of adhesion promoters, and deproteinizing agents. Studies have also investigated improving the bond strength after teeth whitening using antioxidant or amorphous calcium phosphate. Until now, hydrofluoric acid has been the standard for ceramic conditioning; however, air abrasion and lasers have more recently been investigated. Composite, amalgam, and gold can be roughened by bur roughening and air abrasion. Bracket failure means rebonding with doubts not only about the bond strength of the rebonded bracket, but also about the effects on the enamel surface.

Laboratory testing of different aspects of the bonding process provides information to guide the selection of bracket/adhesive combinations and allows comparison of the efficacy of the different bonding techniques. However, clinical trials – especially randomized clinical trials – are the gold standard for evidence-based dentistry.

This Special Issue aims to collate original research and review articles describing advances in this field.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Orthodontic bond strength to structurally affected enamel
• Orthodontic bond strength to restorative materials
• Methods to enhance orthodontic bond strength to structurally affected enamel
• Methods to enhance orthodontic bond strength to restorative materials
• Preparing structurally affected enamel for orthodontic bonding
• Preparing restorative materials for orthodontic bonding
• Orthodontic rebond strength to structurally affected enamel
• Orthodontic rebond strength to restorative materials
• Orthodontic debonding effects on structurally affected enamel
• Orthodontic debonding effects on restorative materials
• Effects of orthodontic bonding materials on mucosal, gingival, and periodontal tissues